The Scottish Naturalist. 313 



Cocklaw farm, near Oldhamstocks. Altogether at least ten 

 have been shot within the last few years on Springfield ; and 

 during that period they have frequented the place. The fields 

 there rest on a raised platform j the soil is gravelly and dry, and 

 lies well to the sun. On the 2nd week of September, 1874, one 

 of the Dunglass gamekeepers, when shooting partridges, shot a 

 Quail at Whitburn on the Lammermoors. My friend Mr. 

 Archibald Hepburn, remarks that the Quail has long been a sum- 

 mer visitant in East Lothian, about Dirleton. Dr. Turnbull, 

 "Birds of East Lothian," p. 22, says, "It has frequently been 

 seen in the parishes of Dirleton and Athelstaneford." Some 

 years since, during the partridge season, Mr. Henry Collingwood 

 shot two Quails, in the vicinity of Lilburn Tower. 



Dotterel ( Charadrius morinellus). — Dotterels frequent, 

 although in less numbers than formerly, the heights of most of 

 the upland farms in the east of Berwickshire, bordering the 

 moors. Their favourite resort is old leas ploughed up, where 

 there are clods and stones to protect the glittering beetles that 

 constitute their favourite food. They arrive about the 6th and 

 7 th of May; — never before the 5th says one. The flocks are 

 never large, and the birds at first are easily approached. They 

 have now become less wary since they are not interfered with. 

 Dotterels were once numerous at Penmanshiel, on the heights 

 above Redheugh, Howpark, and Renton Bell. Again, on the 

 west they frequented Ecklaw Hill, Blackburn Mill, and some of 

 the high farms around Abbey St. Bathans. About two years 

 since a small returning party of six or seven appeared in 

 autumn on Redheugh hill, out of which two brace were shot. 

 Last season Mr. James Clark shot one on the farm of 

 Springfield, and has it stuffed. They appear to be scarce near 

 Belford. Some years since one was shot out of a flock of five 

 or six at Middleton Hall. 



Heron (Ardca cinerea). — Three years ago, on a flat spot 

 among some dangerously steep rocks, near Siccar Point, a 

 Heron's nest was come upon. The young ones had been 

 deserted, after being nearly full grown. The nest was made of 

 large sticks, and had many fish bones about it. Dr. Charles 

 Stuart informs me that he has discovered a heronry, with at 

 least 50 nests, in the Pistol Plantation, Blackadder, situated due 

 south from the forester's house on the Berwick turnpike. 



Redshank ( ' Tot anus calidris ). ■■- A cowardly, suspicious bird. 

 When alarmed head and neck continue to move up and down 



